NOAA: Lectures on Noise & Marine Mammals

Thursday, September 23, 2004

The Commerce Department’s National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s National Marine Fisheries Service and scientists from various academic institutions are sponsoring a free national lecture series on marine mammals and human noise. They will hold the eighth lecture in Baltimore, Md. on Sept. 23, 2004.

NOAA Fisheries Acoustics Program and other scientific experts in marine mammals and human noise are hosting the programs at public aquariums and marine laboratories around the country, to help increase public knowledge about human noise and marine mammals. The lecture series, Marine Animals and Human Noise, started in March in Florida, and will continue through November 2004.

“I am very excited about this series of informative programs,” said Bill Hogarth, the assistant administrator for NOAA Fisheries. “There is a lot of interest in the affect of human noises on whales, dolphins and other marine mammals. NOAA Fisheries has some of the world’s leading experts looking at this issue.”

The objective of this unique series is to present current scientific information about human sources and uses of sound in marine environments, the physics of sound and hearing, and biological and behavioral factors that relate to noise impacts. Scientists hope that the educational lecture series will facilitate constructive discussions among concerned parties.

“While we continue to work toward understanding some of these complex issues, much has been learned recently about the impact of noise on marine life,” Hogarth said. “It is very important to convey this information to the public. Our ultimate goal is to use a balanced approach to share the ocean with marine life, and to conserve and protect these incredible creatures for many years to come.”